Printer mobility and scalability

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are devices, methods and other means, including those related to printers, as well as computer readable media for storing code to execute instructions for a device, and other systems for providing and supporting mobile printing and other types of devices. The circuit boards of a device can each be dedicated to different types of functionality and be installed into the device without the use of fasteners. In some embodiments, the printer&#39;s housing can include a base portion and a defining portion, where the defining portion largely defines the printer&#39;s shape, size and aesthetics and the base portion defines the printer&#39;s minimum size. Also provided herein is a removable belt clip that may be affixed to a portable printer and/or other device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/345,987, filed May 18, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/323,264, filed Apr. 12, 2010, which are both herein incorporated byreference in their entireties.

FIELD

Embodiments discussed herein are related to printers and, moreparticularly, to systems, methods, apparatuses, computer readable mediaproducts and other means for providing mobile printer networking andrelated functionality.

BACKGROUND

Printers are designed and known to be used in traditional officeenvironments. Some printers have a more portable design that allows themto be used for many other applications beyond traditional officeprinting, such as printing customer receipts at the point of delivery,price tags at product display shelves, shipment labels, parking garagereceipts, adhesive labels, law enforcement tickets, and gas and utilityinspection documents at people's homes. Through applied effort,ingenuity, and innovation, various printer improvements are embodied bythe present invention, examples of which are discussed below.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments discussed herein are related to printers and otherdevices that lack at least one traditional seam in its externalhousings. For example, some printers currently include a lateral seamthat is formed when a printer's top housing portion is mated to aprinter's bottom housing portion. To increase durability and scalabilityfor devices (e.g., to enable a common printer base and circuitry toaccommodate various label sizes), the shape of the housing portions canbe changed such that the seam runs along the bottom causing the topportion to surround and/or otherwise protect at least most (or even all)of five of the six sides of the device. In this regard, the shape andthe size of the printer can be defined almost entirely by one piece ofthe housing, sometimes referred to herein as the “defining portion” ofthe housing, while the networking interface(s), accessory interface(s),chassis, circuitry and/or other common printer components can be mountedor otherwise protected by a second piece of the housing (sometimesreferred to herein as the “base portion” of the housing), wherein thebase portion of the housing can be substantially similar or the same forprinters that otherwise look completely different.

As another example, while some printers and other apparatuses currentlyinclude an overmold, the overmold often bridges a seam between the topand bottom portions of the housing. In accordance with some embodimentsdiscussed herein, the overmold can be applied to only the definingportion and/or otherwise located in a location remote from the seambetween the base and defining portions of the housing. Additionally, thecustom designed overmold can enable universal serial bus (“USB”) and/orother type(s) of cables to be mounted with a custom molded (e.g.,plastic) strain relief component (which may be part of the cableassembly) that is configured to lock the cable into place when engagedwith the printer. The strain relief component can be configured totransfer at least most (if not all) external stress applied to thecable(s) into the housing to relieve stress from, e.g., the USBconnector mounted on, e.g., the device's printed circuit board.

For example, some embodiments may include a printer, comprising:circuitry; a housing that at least substantially defines a shape of theprinter's six sides, the housing including a base portion, a definingportion and an overmold, wherein: the defining portion at leastsubstantially defines the printer's first side; the defining portion atleast substantially defines the printer's second side; the definingportion at least substantially defines the printer's third side; thedefining portion at least substantially defines the printer's fourthside; the defining portion at least substantially defines the printer'sfifth side; the base portion at least substantially defines theprinter's sixth side; the overmold at least partially covers thedefining portion; and the overmold fails to cover the base portion.

The printer can further comprise a second overmold that at leastpartially covers the base portion.

The printer's sixth side can be the bottom of the printer. The printer'sfifth side can be the top of the printer, which is located opposite thesixth side. The fifth side includes a media cover that is configured toopen to allow the printer to receive a media roll. The shape and size ofthe printer can be at least partially related to the media roll's size.

In some embodiments, the overmold is seamless and/or covers a seamlessportion of the housing. The overmold can be comprised at least mostly ofrubber, plastic and/or any other suitable material, such as those thathave a softer durometer than other parts of the housing onto which theovermold is placed. The defining portion can be comprised at leastmostly of plastic, rubber, metal and/or any other suitable material. Theovermold can be configured to allow the use of a custom molded plasticand/or other type of strain relief component that removably locks acable to the printer and transfers any external stress to the printer'sinternal components as opposed to the housing. The overmold can also orinstead be configured to allow the use of a USB connector strain reliefcomponent.

The printer's or other type of device's circuit boards and thecomponents disposed thereon can be linked together such that thecomponents of the various circuit board fit together like a threedimensional (3D) puzzle. For example, gaps left by components disposedon one circuit board can be at least partially filled by componentsdisposed on a second circuit board. Such an approach, depending on howthe components on each circuit board are layered together, can reduceemissions from the circuit boards (and their components) without usingfasteners, shields and/or any other dedicated component. Instead, insome embodiments, one or more of the circuit boards can slide into slotsin a frame (e.g., metal chassis and/or housing) and be held in place bythe frame.

For example, a printer in accordance with some embodiments discussedherein can comprise: circuitry that includes: a processor; connectorcircuitry; and input/output circuitry; a first circuit board onto whichthe processor is disposed; a second circuit board onto which theconnector circuitry is disposed; and a third circuit board onto whichthe input/output circuitry is disposed.

The circuitry can be disposed on the first circuit board and the thirdcircuit board such that, when mounted in the printer the processor isdisposed on a first side of the first circuit board, the first sidefacing the third circuit board; and the input/output circuitry isdisposed on a second side of the third circuit board, the second sidefacing the first circuit board. The processor and the input/outputcircuitry can be positioned such that the input output circuitry ispositioned in a first space unoccupied by the circuitry on the firstcircuit board; and the processor is positioned in a second spaceunoccupied by the circuitry on the third circuit board.

The printer can further comprise one or more frame components integratedor included inside the housing that have slots, wherein the firstcircuit board and the third circuit board can be installed into theprinter by sliding into the slots included in the frame(s). For example,the first circuit board and the third circuit board can be installedinto the printer by sliding into slots included in the printer'shousing.

The printer can further comprise a ribbon cable that couples the firstcircuit board with the second circuit board.

The first circuit board, second circuit board and/or third circuit boardcan be positioned relative to each other (and the components disposedthereon) to reduce emissions among the printer's circuitry.

The printer can further comprise memory disposed on the first circuitboard.

The connector circuitry can be wired-connector circuitry and/or wirelesscommunications circuitry.

The printer can also or instead comprise wireless communicationscircuitry disposed on a fourth circuit board. The wirelesscommunications circuitry may include a Bluetooth communicationscomponent disposed on a first side of the fourth circuit board and aWiFi communications component disposed on a second side of the fourthcircuit board. The first side and the second side of the fourth circuitboard can face opposite directions.

The printer can further comprise another circuit board including powerinterface circuitry disposed thereon. The power interface circuitry canbe configured to provide a flexible battery interface.

The printer's input/output circuitry can be configured to generatesignals representing a user input from four directional buttons, aselection button and two soft buttons. The buttons may be arranged inany suitable manner relative to, e.g., a display screen and/or eachother. The input/output circuitry can be further configured to generatesignals that drive a display screen.

Some embodiments discussed herein may also include a removable belt clipthat snaps or is otherwise secured by, e.g., the battery cover of aprinter and/or other device. For example, a printer can comprise: ahousing including a base portion and a defining portion, wherein thebase portion includes: a battery receptacle; a removable battery cover;and a belt clip receptacle configured to receive a removable belt clip.

The belt clip receptacle can include a rounded cavity. The removablebattery cover can be mated with the battery receptacle, and beconfigured to: aid in preventing batteries from falling out of thebattery receptacle; and aid in preventing a belt clip from falling outof the belt clip receptacle.

The removable battery cover can be configured to substantially fill thebelt clip receptacle when a belt clip is not filling the belt clipreceptacle. This may help prevent dirt and other material from gettinginto the battery receptacle when the belt clip is not inserted into thebelt clip receptacle.

The printer further comprising at least one lanyard channel included inthe defining portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee.

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a mobile printer in accordance withsome embodiments discussed herein;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C show display screens and input buttons that may beincorporated into mobile printers in accordance with some embodimentsdiscussed herein;

FIGS. 3A-3L show additional exemplary arrangements of input buttons anddisplay screens that may be incorporated into mobile printers inaccordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIGS. 3M and 3N show isometric views of two other printers havingdiffering display screens and arrangements of input buttons inaccordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of another printer in accordance withsome embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the mobile printer discussed in connectionwith FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a back view of the mobile printer discussed in connectionwith FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 shows a left side view of the mobile printer discussed inconnection with FIG. 4;

FIGS. 8A and 8B each show a right side view of embodiments of the mobileprinter consistent with those discussed in connection with FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 shows a bottom view of the mobile printer discussed in connectionwith FIG. 4;

FIG. 10A shows an example block diagram of circuitry that may beincluded in some embodiments discussed herein;

FIGS. 10B-10E show various views of example of circuitry, such as thatdiscussed in FIG. 10A, that may be included in printers that are inaccordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 10F shows an exploded view of the circuitry shown in FIGS. 10A-10E;

FIGS. 11A and 11B show exemplary portions of a housing for a printer inaccordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIGS. 12A-12C show different examples of circuitry and other componentsthat may be included on three of the circuit boards included in aprinter in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIGS. 13A and 13B show exemplary housing portions of a printer inaccordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIGS. 13C-13F show exemplary defining housing portions of various sizesmating with base housing portions that are at least substantially thesame;

FIG. 14A shows an example removable belt clip; and

FIG. 14B shows the example belt clip from FIG. 14A installed in aprinter with the battery cover removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Printer Platforms and User Interface Components

FIG. 1 shows mobile printer 100, which is in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention. Mobile printer 100, like some ofthe other exemplary printers discussed herein, can weigh less than 1.6pounds, can have a volume of about 61 cubic inches, and can be durableenough to function properly after falling from a height of at least 5feet. Mobile printer 100 can also be used to print user-readable indiciaat, e.g., a speed of one or more inches per second. In some embodiments,the torque and/or print speed can be dynamically adjusted based upon theprinting parameters selected in response to the printer's processordetermining, e.g., the type of media (e.g., backless media, media withbacking to be peeled, among others). Mobile printer 100 can also beconfigured to encode machine-readable indicia onto media.

The relatively small profile and increased durability of mobile printer100 can be enabled by, among other things, the arrangement of theinternal circuitry and/or circuit boards onto which the circuitry ismounted. For example, the circuitry of mobile printer 100 can be laidout on a plurality of circuit boards (instead of a single circuitboard). Additional examples of how circuitry may be arranged on one ormore circuit boards are discussed below in connection with FIGS.10A-12C.

The media can include, for example, a number of adhesive-backed labelssupported by a liner or other carrier (sometimes referred to herein as a“backing”). In RFID applications, the labels may include an RFIDtransponder or other type of circuitry (sometimes referred to herein asan “inlay”). A peeler (discussed further in connection with FIGS. 7-13)and/or other component(s) can be included in mobile printer 100 and maybe used to separate the media from the liner after printing/encoding.The media can include a single media unit, or the media can includeindividual media units that are rolled together, fan folded, orotherwise assembled together, and inserted into mobile printer 100. Forexample, media cover 102 can open (similar or the same as that shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B) allowing mobile printer 100 to receive a single mediaunit, a roll of media units, a fanfold of media units, or any othersuitable arrangement of one or more media units. Mobile printer 100 canthen feed the media through media slot 104. In some embodiments, a tearbar or other type of cutting component (discussed below) can beincorporated near media slot 104 to help the user remove a label,receipt, or other type of media unit(s) from the roll afterprinting/encoding.

A peeler assembly may also be included in mobile printer 100. The peelerassembly may comprise a peel bar and/or other component(s), and bepositioned proximate media slot 104. Mobile printer 100 may includegears and/or other components that are adapted to automatically engagethe peeler to print media (such as, e.g., media cover 102 may beconfigured to latch the peel bar in a peeling position), subsequent tothe peeler bar being released from its stowed or other type ofnon-peeling position by a user and/or mobile printer 100. The peeler canthen be used to at least partially remove a label or other type of mediafrom any type of backing, such as a media liner, after printing/encodingthe media. Additional examples of threadless peelers are provided incommonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled “LABELPEELING, UNIVERSAL PRINTHEADS AND RELATED METHODS,” which isincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

Housing 106, including media cover 102, can be made from any suitablematerial and/or combinations of materials. For example, housing 106 canbe made from plastic(s), rubber, metal, composite material, any othertype of material, or combination thereof (such as, e.g., arubber-infused plastic). Housing material 106 can be strong enough toprotect the internal components from a fall, while still allowingwireless signals, such as those used to communicate to radiate throughin at least some locations. Housing 106 is shown in FIG. 1 as having acenter seam between top half 130 of the housing and bottom half 132 ofthe housing. Other embodiments, examples of which are discussed below(in connection with, e.g., in connection with, e.g., FIGS. 2-6B, 11A and11B), include a seam line that allows, among other things, the bottomportion of the housing to be the same size and shape, regardless of theoverall shape and size of printers. Additional examples of outer shellsand other defining exterior features of printers' housings that may beused in some embodiments discussed herein are provided in connectionwith FIGS. 2A-8B, 13A and 13B.

Mobile printer 100 can also include one or more user input/outputcomponents, such as display 108, left button 110, right button 112, menubutton 114, back button 116, navigation buttons 118, feed button 120,power button 122, and cover release button 124. Other examples ofbuttons, sensors and other type of user and environmental inputs may beincluded, some of which are discussed herein. For example, additionaluser inputs and/or outputs may be available to the user only when mediacover 102 is open. Additional examples of printer user input componentsthat may be included in some embodiments are discussed herein.

For example, display 108 can include components configured to receivedata inputs and output a display. In some embodiments, display 108 mayalso include components that enable touch-sensitive functionality thatenable display 108 to receive an indication from a user and output acorresponding electrical signal associated with the user's indication.The touch-sensitive components of display 108 can include, for example,capacitance sensor(s), resistance sensor(s), acoustic wave sensor(s),optical sensor(s), any other type of sensor(s), and/or combinationthereof. Display 108 can also include a liquid crystal display (“LCD”),light emitting diode (“LED”) display, an organic light emitting diode(“OLED”) display, any other type of display, or combination thereof.Different types of displays have various advantages and disadvantagesrelative to each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, a 2.1 inchOLED display may have a relatively larger viewing angle than a 2.1 inchLCD. The relatively larger viewing angle in combination with the shapeof the printer's housing (e.g., the straight, but angled portion of theprinter's “whistle shape”) can enable the printer's display to be moreeasily viewed by a user across many applications. For example, the shapeof the printer can create a slope having an angle “α”, wherein the shapeof the printer in combination with the viewing angle of display 108 mayallow display 108 to be viewed while worn by a user (e.g., on a lanyardor belt clip, such as those discussed below) and/or set atop a table.For example, “α” may include any angle between 20-70 degrees, amongothers.

However, as known to those skilled in the art, OLED displays arecurrently more expensive than comparable LCDs. Other examples ofdisplays that may be used by some embodiments discussed herein, includean electronic paper display (“EPD,” sometimes referred to as electronicink or e-ink) or other type of bistable display(s). Power consumption,brightness, readability (in sunlight, darkness, etc.), expected lifespan, and other factors may also differ among different types ofdisplays and impact the best display to be used as display 108 dependingon the intended usage of mobile printer 100. In some embodiments, anambient light sensor and/or other type of sensor can be integrated intothe display and/or other portion of printer 100, such as in and/or nearthe peeler bar or media cover. The one or more sensors can be used to,for example, adjust the brightness of the display, detect a label thatneeds to be removed from the peel bar, and determine when printer 100 ismoving, among other things.

Display 108 can be configured to present an icon based menu and/or anyother type of menu hierarchy. Among other things, display 108 can beadapted to display Asian-language fonts in relatively high resolution.Various fonts, firmware and/or other data may be downloaded onto printer100 (some examples of which are discussed further below).

In some embodiments, display 108 may only function as an output displaycomponent and be unable to function as an input component. For example,display 108 may lack a functioning touch-sensitive input componentand/or the appropriate software/hardware/firmware necessary to enablethe touch-sensitive input component.

Regardless of whether display 108 includes a touch sensitive componentthat displays user-selectable buttons and/or other input component(s),mobile printer 100 can include “soft” keys, such as left button 110 andright button 112, which are hardware-based keys (as opposed tosoftware-based keys presented by a touch-sensitive display) that can beused to select options presented by display 108. In some embodiments,portions of the screen of display 108 can be dedicated to and associatedwith left button 110 and/or right button 112. For example, the area ofdisplay 108 located immediately above left button 110 can be used topresent an option that can be selected in response to left button 110being depressed. Likewise, the area of display 108 located immediatelyabove right button 112 can be used to present another option that can beselected in response to right button 112 being depressed. The optionspresented in the screen areas associated with left button 110 and/orright button 112 can be dynamic and change based upon the currentdisplay, allowing left button 110 and right button 112 to provideflexible navigation of the menu hierarchy. Additional examples ofprinter user interface components that may be used in some embodimentsdiscussed herein are provided in connection with, e.g., FIGS. 3A-3N.

Mobile printer 100 can also include menu button 114. Internal circuitry(e.g., the processor and/or other components, such as those discussed inconnection with, e.g., FIGS. 10A-12C) of mobile printer 100 can beconfigured to, for example, present a main menu or other type of displayon display 108 in response to menu button 114 being depressed. Softwareand/or firmware, which include coded machine-readable instructions forexecuting the functionality of mobile printer 100, can be stored inmemory or any other type of computer readable media device included inmobile printer 100. For example, mobile printer 100 may include 128megabytes of memory, 256 megabytes of memory, or any other suitableamount of removable or embedded memory in the form of nontransitoryvolatile and/or non-volatile storage (e.g., flash memory, magnetic diskmemory, etc.).

Back button 116 can cause the internal circuitry to present a displaythat is higher up a menu hierarchy of mobile printer 100. In otherembodiments, back button 116 (or another button which is not shown) canbe used to physically “back-up” or otherwise control the movement of themedia being printed/encoded by mobile printer 100. In yet otherembodiments, back button 116 (and/or any other component of mobileprinter 100) can have dynamic functionality, in that selecting backbutton 116 causes mobile printer 100 to respond differently depending ona range of variables. For example, back button 116 may cause display 108to advance up the menu hierarchy while media cover 102 is in a closedposition (as shown in FIG. 1) and cause the printing media to back-feedwhile media cover 102 is in an open position, or vice-versa.

Navigation buttons 118 are shown in FIG. 1 as comprising fourdirectional buttons and a center button. Navigational buttons 118 canenable a user to, for example, move a cursor among and/or select one ormore options presented by display 108. Navigational buttons 118 can alsoprovide an intuitive interface for allowing a user to move to and/orselect an option using fewer key presses.

FIG. 2B shows another example design for navigational buttons 118 thatincludes space between each of the directional buttons. By separatingthe directional buttons as shown in FIG. 2B, unintentional and multiplebutton presses (e.g., the accidental pressing of two buttons at once)can be reduced or avoided. FIG. 2C shows an example of how the centerbutton and outer edges of the directional buttons can be raised to allowrelatively smaller buttons to be used (as compared to buttons that arenot raised) without negatively impacting the user's experience and/orinteractions with mobile printer 100.

FIGS. 3A-3N show alternative arrangements of navigational buttons 118that can be used with mobile printer 100. FIG. 3N also shows additionalexamples of arrangements of buttons 118, soft buttons and a display,such as display 108.

FIGS. 3J-3L show examples of a touch sensitive display that may be usedto replace navigational buttons 118. For example, as shown in FIG. 3J,navigational buttons 118 may be replaced with arrow icons 302, 304, 306and 308 and enter button 310. In this regard, the display componentshown in FIG. 3J can associate a user touching the screen in proximityto arrow icons 302, 304, 306 and 308 and enter button 310 in a mannersimilar to determining a user has depressed one of navigational buttons118 discussed above. FIG. 3H shows another example in which icon 312 canbe used to replace navigational buttons 118. Touching the various partsof icon 312 may cause a printer and/or other devices to respond similarto or the same as the printer and/or other device would respond to oneor more'of navigational buttons 118 being depressed. FIG. 3I shows anexample of the display from FIG. 3H incorporated into a mobile printerin accordance with some embodiments discussed herein. In yet otherembodiments (not shown), navigational buttons 118 can be replaced orsupplemented with a joystick, track pad, click wheel, trackball, anyother type input component, or combination thereof.

Returning to FIG. 1, feed button 120 can be used to activate one or morerollers and feed media into the printing components of mobile printer100. For example, when the media is supported by a liner, feed button120 can assist a user in advancing the liner through printingcomponents. Feed button 120 may also be used to help the user removeexcess media, advance the media manually, and/or remove jammed media,just to list a few examples.

Mobile printer 100 can be powered ON and OFF using power button 122. Insome embodiments, power button 122 can be used to cause mobile printer100 to enter or exit a standby mode. For example, in response to powerbutton 122 being depressed for less than a predetermined period of time(e.g., 5 seconds), mobile printer 100 can either enter or exit standbymode (depending on, e.g., whether or not mobile printer 100 is currentlyin an active or standby mode). But in response to power button 122 beingdepressed for more than 5 seconds, mobile printer 100 can power OFF (ifON). In some embodiments, the circuitry of mobile printer 100 can beconfigured to automatically power OFF after a predetermined period oftime or in response to determining the battery power has dropped below apredetermined threshold. Mobile printer 100 may also be configured topower ON automatically, for example, in response to a print commandbeing issued by another device, such as a mobile terminal. In someembodiments, mobile printer 100 can be configured to automatically enterand/or exit a stand-by or other power-saving mode (including dimming thedisplay screen, turning OFF wireless components, and/or execute otherpower reduction configuration settings). For example, a power-savingmode may be entered or exited after a predetermined period of time haselapsed and/or an environmental trigger has been detected (e.g., lightdetected by an ambient light sensor, movement detected by a jiggleswitch, accelerometer and/or other type of movement sensor, etc.).

Cover release button 124 can be used to unlock and/or open media cover102. When media cover 102 is open, media can be loaded into mobileprinter 100, media jams can be fixed, ribbon or other printingcomponents can be replaced, the peeler bar can be released to engage themedia, etc.

The relatively small size of mobile printer 100 allows mobile printer100 to be attached, mounted, or otherwise physically coupled to a numberof devices. For example, mobile printer 100 can be attached to a forklift (or other warehouse apparatus), automobile (e.g., police car),healthcare device, shopping cart, belt loop, belt and/or lanyard, amongother things. To facilitate its mechanical or other type of physicalcoupling to another apparatus, mobile printer 100 can include channels126, which are adapted to receive a mounting component (e.g., lanyard,shoulder strap, belt, or other type of tether), locking component,and/or any other type of apparatus(es). Other mounting components,including a removable belt clip (such as those discussed in connectionwith FIGS. 4-8A and 13B) and/or mounting components (such as thosediscussed in connection with commonly-assigned U.S. patent applicationSer. No. ______, titled “MOBILE PRINTER NETWORKING AND INTERFACING,”which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).

Protective cover 128 can be used to prevent water, dirt and otherelements from entering one or more electrical coupling components ofmobile printer 100. For example, one or more universal serial bus(“USB”) ports, mini-USB ports, serial enhanced security ports, Ethernetports, optical ports, and/or any other type of input components, outputcomponents and/or input/output components may be located behindprotective cover 128. Protective cover 128 can be removed and/or openedto access the protected component(s). The protected component(s) canalso incorporate, for example, strain relief technology. Among otherthings, strain relief component(s) may help reduce and/or eliminatestrain placed on internal circuitry by a universal serial bus (“USB”)and/or other input/output cables. The strain can result from aconnection made to a second printer, portable data terminal, scanner,credit card reader, personal computer, etc. For examples of strainrelief components are provided in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No.7,066,754, titled “PRINTER CABLE AND ASSOCIATED STRAIN RELIEF COLLAR FORCREATING A RUGGEDIZED CONNECTION FOR AN ELECTRICAL TERMINAL OF A PRINTERAND ASSOCIATED METHODS THEREFORE,” both of which are incorporated byreference herein in their entireties by reference.

As another example, the strain relief technology discussed in the U.S.Pat. No. 7,066,754 can be modified in accordance with some embodimentsdiscussed here to be smaller and utilize a twist lock attachingmechanism that is configured to wed to USB and various other cables. Forexample, the strain relief component may include two receptaclesadjacent to each other (serial and USB) that accept the same twist lockpart that is attached to the particular cable.

FIG. 4 shows printer 400, which includes components similar to or thesame as those discussed above in connection with mobile printer 100. Toavoid overcomplicating the discussion, like reference numbers refer tolike elements throughout the drawings. (Although a display screen is notshown in FIG. 4, reference number 108 points to a portion of housing 106that may be adapted to receive any type of display or other type of userinterface, such as those discussed in connection with FIGS. 2A-3N.)

In some embodiments, the portion of printer 400's housing where display108 may be integrated can be formed from one or more different materialsthan other portions of the printer's housing. For example, the sidewalls of the housing (such as the portions where channels 126 arelocated) can be formed from and/or comprise an injection molded plastic,and the portion for display 108 can comprise die cut rubber. Whenmanufacturing printer 400, for example, plastic for the housing can beinjected molded around the die cut rubber, which may allow the sameinjection mold to be used for printers that have different sized and/ortypes of input components (e.g., different types of display screens,navigation button arrangements, etc.). In some embodiments, a rubber,plastic and/or other type of overmold (discussed further in connectionwith, e.g., FIGS. 13A and 13B) can be applied to one or more of theprinter's side walls and/or other components. Allowing the same molds tobe used for multiple products can reduce manufacturing and machiningcosts sometimes associated with providing various product options tocustomers. In other embodiments, rather than place display 108 intorubber, the portion of the printer's housing that receives display 108can be plastic and/or any other type of material. In addition to die cutrubber that receives display 108 and the base housing portion, otherdesign aspects, some examples of which are discussed herein inconnection with circuitry, may allow similar or the same printercomponents to be used across different types of mobile printers, desktopprinters and other devices in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention.

Printer 400 includes clip 402, which may enable printer 400 to beattached to a user's belt or belt loop. In some embodiments, clip 402may swivel on a ball hinge or may remain in a fixed position relativeprinter 400. Housing 106 of printer 400 can be molded or otherwiseadapted to receive clip 402 with or without another component. Someembodiments of housing 106, such as that shown in FIG. 4, lacks a seamline that runs between the upper housing portion and the lower housingportion. Similarly, the seam line between the two housing portions maynot runs through the ball joint or other type of belt clip receptacle.Housing 106 can also be configured to directly receive clip 402 withoutsacrificing much, if any, strength of the connection, even absentanother component. Clip 402 can be removable and/or replaced with one ormore other types of attaching components. For example, a magneticattaching component could be located where clip 402 is shown in FIG. 4,and used to attach printer 400 to a metallic surface. Additionalexamples of belt clips that may be used in combination with someembodiments discussed herein are discussed in connection with, e.g.,FIG. 13B.

FIGS. 5-9 show different views of printer 400. For example, FIG. 5 showsa front view of printer 400. One skilled in the art may realize from thediscussion herein that as used herein, the relative “front”, “back”,“top”, “bottom”, “right” and “left” would be understood to one ofordinary skill in the art in view of the description of the drawingsFIGS. 5-9 that are respectively referred to herein as “front”, “back”,“left”, “right” and “bottom” side views.

FIG. 6 shows a back view of printer 400. Hinge 602 can include a springor other mechanism that allows media cover 102 to be driven open inresponse to a latch being released. For example, cover release button124 can be adapted to release such a latch when depressed by a user.When media cover 102 is open, media can be loaded into printer 400,media jams can be corrected, print ribbon or other consumable printingcomponents can be replaced, among other things. Cover release button 124can also be configured to release and/or drive a peel bar from anon-peeling position to a ready and/or peeling position. Additionalexamples of peel bars' functionality, including examples of thenon-peeling, ready and peeling positions, are provided incommonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled “LABELPEELING, UNIVERSAL PRINTHEADS AND RELATED METHODS,” which wasincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

In other embodiments, the peel bar can function independent from coverrelease button 124. For example, cover release button 124 can beconfigured to open media cover 102 without causing the peel bar to bereleased from the latched position.

In some embodiments, cover release button 124 may be configured tofunction differently depending on how it is utilized (e.g., depressed).For example, when cover release button 124 is depressed partially, mediacover 102 may be opened, and when cover release button 124 is depressedfurther (e.g., all or most of the way down), the peel bar can bereleased to a ready and/or peeling position.

The back view of printer 400 also shows that its housing was assembledfrom two pieces, namely, defining portion 604 and base portion 606.Defining portion 604 meets base portion 606 underneath printer 400 (asopposed to along the lateral sides such as housing 106 of mobile printer100). FIGS. 11A and 11B, discussed below, show defining portion 604separated from base portion 606.

Hinge 602 can attach media cover 102 to defining portion 604 or baseportion 606, and fasteners 608 (which may be screws and/or any othertype of mechanical fasteners) can attach defining portion 604 to baseportion 606. For example, FIGS. 13C-13F show an example base portion 606that is configured to receive media cover 102 after being attached todefining portion 604. In some embodiments, the circuit board(s) ofmobile printer 400 can be removed from (e.g., slid out of) housing 106after base portion 606 is separated from defining portion 604. Eachportion or sub-portion(s) of printer 400's housing can be constructedfrom any type of material, and may have a varying degree of transparencyor opaqueness. For example, media cover 102 can be transparent, whilethe rest of the housing can be opaque.

FIG. 7 shows a left side view of printer 400, which includes protectivecover 702 and alignment cavity 704. Similar to or the same as protectivecover 128, protective cover 702 may be removed to expose one or moreinput, output, and/or input/output components that enable a powersource, peripheral device, accessory device, network device, and/orother apparatus to be coupled with the circuitry of printer 400. In someembodiments, printer 400 can be configured to accept and/or work withaccessories common to other types or models of devices. For example, abattery charger may be coupled to a port behind protective cover 702 andused to charge the battery pack of printer 400.

Alignment cavity 704 can be used to facilitate the properelectro-mechanical coupling of printer 400 with one or more accessorydevices. For example, a docking station (sometimes referred to moregenerally herein as a “dock”), charging station, or mobile palette (suchas, e.g., a modified or existing Route Palette currently sold by ZebraTechnologies Corp., which is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B) may define aprotrusion that corresponds with and fits into cavity 704. As referredto herein, a “charging station,” refers to an apparatus that canfunction as a source of power for charging the batteries of a mobile orother type of printer without facilitating data communications betweenthe printer and a networked device. A “docking station,” as used herein,refers to an apparatus that can receive and electrically couple with aprinter, function as a source of power to charge the printer'sbatteries, and facilitate data communications between the printer and ahost device (e.g., provide Ethernet communications to a network server).In some embodiments, a docking station may be associated with a fixedphysical location that is known to the host device and can be used todetermine the location of printer 400. Example docking stations areshown and discussed in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser.No. ______, titled “MOBILE PRINTER NETWORKING AND INTERFACING,” whichwas incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show two different example right side views of printer400, which are both shown as including cavity 802. Cavity 802 may be adetent adapted to receive a coupling mechanism, and may be the same asor similar to cavity 704 in design, functionality and/or application. Inother embodiments (not shown), cavity 802 can take a different shapeand/or form to cause printer 400 to be aligned in a particular mannerrelative to, e.g., a docking station or other apparatus. For example,notch 804 of FIG. 8B is an example of another type of receptacle thatmay be configured to act as a mechanical connection interface that isused to align and/or otherwise enable printer 400 to mate with anaccessory device. Additional examples of notch 804 and exampleoperations are provided in commonly-assigned U.S. patent applicationSer. No. ______, titled “MOBILE PRINTER NETWORKING AND INTERFACING,”which was incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In some embodiment, cavities 504, 602 and/or notch 804 may operate tomechanically align printer 400 in a desirable presentation manner whenprinter 400 is docked onto a docking station and/or mated with any otherapparatus. By being properly aligned and coupled with a docking station,for example, the location of printer 400 may be determined based on thedocking station's known location.

FIG. 9 shows a bottom view of printer 400, which includes battery cover902 and electrical contacts 904. Electrical contacts 904 may be part ofa communications interface discussed herein. Electrical contacts 904 canbe configured to work together as a single electrical connector. Inother embodiments, one or more of the electrical contacts shown in FIG.9 can be incorporated into a cable and/or any other type of connector.For example, electrical contacts 904 can be a single 16-pin connectorthat can allow printer 400 to have wired network communications whilecharging its battery from a mains and/or other power source. Examples ofthe 16-pin and other types of connectors are provided incommonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled“MOBILE PRINTER NETWORKING AND INTERFACING,” which was incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

Electrical contacts 904, like other electrical components discussedherein, can be coupled to internal circuitry, such as the circuitry 1000discussed in connection with FIG. 10A. FIGS. 10A-10F show a moredetailed example of circuitry in accordance with some embodiments.Because some applications of mobile printers may benefit from theprinter being relatively small, light and rugged, some embodimentsdiscussed herein may include the printer's internal circuitry beingsplit among multiple circuit boards as shown in FIGS. 10A-10F.

Circuitry

FIG. 10A shows a block diagram of example circuitry 1000 that may beincluded in a printer in accordance with some embodiments discussedherein, including printers 100 and 200 discussed above. Circuitry 1000may be included in a desktop, mobile and/or any other type of printer.As shown in FIG. 10A and in accordance with some embodiments, circuitry1000 includes various means, such as processor 1020, memory 1024,communication interface 1022 and user interface 1026 that can beconfigured to perform the various functions herein described. Thesemeans of circuitry 1000 as described herein may be embodied as, forexample, hardware elements, including control circuitry (e.g., processor1020, including any suitably programmed processor and/or combinationallogic circuit, among other things), a computer program productcomprising computer-readable program instructions (e.g.,software/firmware) stored on a nontransitory computer-readable medium(e.g., memory 1024) that is executable by the printer's other circuitry(e.g., processor 1020), or some combination thereof.

Processor 1020 may, for example, be embodied as various means includingone or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signalprocessor(s), processor(s) without an accompanying digital signalprocessor, one or more coprocessors, multi-core processors, controllers,computers, various other processing elements including integratedcircuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integratedcircuit) or FPGA (field programmable gate array), or some combinationthereof. Accordingly, although shown in FIG. 10A as a single processor,in some embodiments processor 1020 comprises a plurality of processorsand/or any other type of control circuitry. The plurality of processors,for example, may be embodied on a single computing device or may bedistributed across a plurality of computing devices collectivelyconfigured to function as circuitry 1000. The plurality of processorsmay be in operative communication with each other and may becollectively configured to perform one or more functionalities ofcircuitry 1000 as described herein. In an example embodiment, processor1020 is configured to execute instructions stored in memory 1024 and/orthat are otherwise accessible to processor 1020. These instructions,when executed by processor 1020, may cause circuitry 1000 to perform oneor more of the functionalities of circuitry 1000 as described herein. Assuch, whether configured by hardware, firmware/software methods, or by acombination thereof, processor 1020 may comprise an entity capable ofperforming operations according to embodiments of the present inventionwhile configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when processor 1020 isembodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, processor 1020 may comprisespecifically configured hardware for conducting one or more operationsdescribed herein. Alternatively, as another example, when processor 1020is embodied as an executor of instructions, such as may be stored inmemory 1024, the instructions may specifically configure processor 1020to perform one or more algorithms and operations described herein.

Memory 1024 may comprise, for example, volatile storage, non-volatilestorage, or some combination thereof. Although shown in FIG. 8 as asingle memory component, memory 1024 may comprise a plurality of memorycomponents. The plurality of memory components may be embodied on asingle computing device or distributed across a plurality of computingdevices. In various embodiments, memory 1024 may comprise, for example,a hard disk, random access memory, cache memory, flash memory, a compactdisc read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory(DVD-ROM), circuitry configured to store information, any other type ofmemory, or some combination thereof. Memory 1024 may be configured tostore information, data, applications and instructions, among otherthings, for enabling circuitry 1000 to provide various functionality inaccordance with some example embodiments of the present invention. Forexample, memory 1024 is configured to buffer input data for processingby processor 1020. Additionally or alternatively, in at least someembodiments, memory 1024 can be configured to store program instructionsfor execution by processor 1020. Memory 1024 may store information inthe form of static and/or dynamic information. This information may bestored and/or used by circuitry 1000 during the course of performing itsfunctions.

Communication interface 1022 may be embodied as any device or meansembodied in circuitry, hardware, a computer program product comprisingcomputer readable program instructions stored on a computer readablemedium (e.g., memory 1024) and executed by a processing device (e.g.,processor 1020), or a combination thereof that is configured to receiveand/or transmit data from/to another device, such as, for example, asecond circuitry 1000 and/or the like. In some embodiments,communications interface 1022 can be a component of a common accessoriesinterface, which may also include a mechanical interface. Examples ofdevices using and aspects of a common accessory interface are providedin commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled“MOBILE PRINTER NETWORKING AND INTERFACING,” which was incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

In some embodiments, communication interface 1022 is at least partiallyembodied as or otherwise controlled by processor 1020. As referred toherein, being “controlled” by processor 1020 includes processor 1020providing commands and other types of instructions as well as receivingand responding to data received by the components being instructed,among other things. In this regard, communication interface 1022 may bein communication with processor 1020, such as via a bus (not shown).Communication interface 1022 may include, for example, an antenna, atransmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, network interface card and/orsupporting hardware and/or firmware/software for enabling communicationswith another computing device. Communications interface 1022 may alsoinclude one or more sensors, such as sensor 802, which can be configuredto detect various environmental and/or other conditions (e.g., ambientlight, acceleration, component position, etc.). Communication interface1022 may also be configured to receive and/or transmit data using anyprotocol suitable for facilitating communications between computingand/or other types of devices. Examples of docking stations are providedin commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled“MOBILE PRINTER NETWORKING AND INTERFACING,” which was incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety. Communication interface 1022 mayadditionally be in communication with the memory 1024, user interface1026 and/or any other component of circuitry 1000, such as via a bus(not shown).

User interface 1026 may be in communication with processor 1020 toreceive an indication of a user input and/or to provide an audible,visual, mechanical, or other output to a user. As such, user interface1026 may include, for example, display 108, left button 110, rightbutton 112, menu button 114, back button 116, navigation buttons 118,feed button 120, power button 122, an audio transducer, and/or otherinput/output mechanisms. User interface 1026 may also be configured tofacilitate the presentation of unsolicited event notifications based oninstructions and/or other signals received from, e.g., processor 1020and/or any other component included in the printer. For example,unsolicited ZPL alerts may be set using Set Get Do (SGD) commands. Someexamples of ZPL alerts are included in the Zebra Programming Language'sZPL II the Programming Guide, Volume One, 2005, which is a registeredcopyrighted work owned by the assignee of this application and is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety

Circuitry 1000 may also include one or more drive motors 1028, which maybe configured to move one or more media units when printing, among otherthings. Drive motors 1028 can be controlled by, e.g., processor 1020.For example, processor 1020 can be configured to cause electric drivemotors 1028 to move one or more media units past a printhead at a firstspeed. In some embodiments, processor 1020 and drive motors 1028 can beconfigured to move various media units at various speeds. Additionalexamples of controlling print speed are provided in commonly-assignedU.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled “LABEL PEELING,UNIVERSAL PRINTHEADS AND RELATED METHODS,” which has been incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

Electrical Interface and Circuit Board Layout

Circuitry 1000 can be disposed on one or more circuit boards, which canbe linked together using a three dimensional (“3D”) approach. Forexample, multiple boards and components thereon can be collectively laidout and designed such that they fit together like a 3D puzzle inside aprinter and/or other device. As such, printer's circuitry can have arelatively low vertical profile despite being stacked. For example, gapsleft by components disposed on one circuit board can be at leastpartially filled by components disposed on a second circuit board. Suchan approach, depending on how the components on each circuit board arelayered together, can reduce emissions, such as wireless emissionsand/or other noise, between the boards.

Board 1002, for example, can be the main board that has the processor(and other processing circuitry, such as processor 1020) and/or memory(e.g., memory 1024) disposed thereon. Board 1004 can be configured to bethe personality board that has the various input and output interfacesmounted therein. The input/output interfaces can, for example, becoupled to components such as display 108, left button 110, right button112, and navigation buttons 118. Board 1006 can be configured to be acapsulated power interface board, networking board and/or dock boardthat can be coupled to electrical contacts 904 (discussed above) and/orbattery pack container 1008. Board 1006 can be used in a printer toprovide a flexible power interface and/or wired communications interfacethat is configured to mate with various accessories and other devices,some examples of which are provided in commonly-assigned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. ______, titled “MOBILE PRINTER NETWORKING ANDINTERFACING,” which was incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. In some embodiments, an additional board can include powerinterface circuitry (e.g., circuitry 1018) that is configured to providea flexible battery interface (e.g., identify the type of battery, accessmemory to determine how to facilitate the flow of power to/from thattype of battery, and operate according to the instructions stored inmemory).

Ribbon connectors, such as connector 1012, can be used to electricallycouple boards together. Board 1010 can also be included as a remotewireless board. Board 1010 can include, for example, Bluetooth component1016 on one side and WiFi component 1016 on the other side, as shown inthe circuitry exploded view of FIG. 10F. In some embodiments, board 1010can be omitted and the wireless communications component can be includedon one or more of the other boards. Similarly, other boards discussedherein can be omitted and/or divided, such that the components discussedherein can be disposed on any of the boards discussed herein.

Board 1002 and, for example, board 1004, when mounted in the printer,can have the faces on which at least some components are mounteddirected towards each other. For example, processor 1020 can be disposedon a first side of board 1002, the first side facing board 1004; and atleast some of the input/output circuitry disposed on a second side ofboard 1004, wherein the second side faces board 1002. Processor 1020 andthe input/output circuitry can be further positioned on their respectiveboards such that the input output circuitry is positioned in a firstspace unoccupied by processor 1020 (and any other the circuitry on thefirst circuit board), and processor 1020 is positioned in a second spacebetween the boards that is unoccupied by the circuitry on the thirdcircuit board.

Electrical contacts 904, shown in FIG. 10E, can be used when couplingprinter 400 to a peripheral device, docking station or other type ofapparatus. For example and as discussed above, electrical contacts 904can facilitate the transfer of power to and/or from printer 400. Whenused as a power port, one or more of electrical contacts 904 can be usedto charge the batteries of printer 400. As another example, electricalcontacts 904 can function as an input port, output port, or combinedinput/output port that facilitates the transfer of data to and/or fromprinter 400 and/or a smart battery pack. When used as a data port,electrical contacts 904 can engage with, for example, a docking stationand allow printer 400 and smart batteries therein to have Ethernetand/or other type(s) of network connectivity as discussed above. Smartdocking may also be implemented, thereby enabling printer 400 and/orsmart batteries to establish an Ethernet connection when power isprovided (via, e.g., electrical contacts 904 or any other power port ofprinter 400). Smart docking may help increase the battery life ofprinter 400 by only implementing power consuming data communicationswhile connected to an external power source. In some embodiments, powermay be drawn over the Ethernet connection to charge one or morebatteries of printer 400 or enable printer 400 to run without depletingits battery power.

In some embodiments, examples of which are discussed below, battery packcontainer 1008 can include and/or be coupled to circuitry 1018. Theelectrical contacts of circuitry 1018, which are configured tofacilitate the transfer of power from a battery pack inside battery packcontainer 1008, can be elongated as shown in FIG. 10F. The elongatedcontacts can allow the same design/type of battery pack container 1008to be used in printers having various sizes. For example, in arelatively small printer housing (such as a printer adapted toaccommodate a two inch media roll), board 1002 may be mounted in thecenter of the printer's housing and make contact with the right-sideportion of the contacts included in circuitry 1018. However, in a largerprinter's housing (such as a printer adapted to accommodate a four inchmedia roll, while retaining the whistle shape shown in some of thedrawings), board 1002 may be mounted towards the right of the printer'shousing and make contact with the left-side portion of the contactsincluded in circuitry 1018 (if the battery pack is located in the centerof the printer). As referred to herein, the “whistle” shape refers aback portion that is larger and more rounded, which is configured toreceive a media, that tapers to a front portion that is more straightand includes a user interface on a relatively flat surface.

FIG. 11A shows an exploded view of the circuitry and other internalcomponents that may be included in a printer, such as printers 100 and200 discussed above. In some embodiments, one or more of the componentsshown in FIG. 11A can be mounted or otherwise installed on base portion606 before defining portion 604 of the housing is coupled thereto. Forexample, all the components shown in FIGS. 11A (and/or FIG. 11B), exceptdisplay 108 and/or other aspects of the user interface, can be mountedto base portion 606 before base 606 is slid into defining portion 604 asdiscussed in connection with FIGS. 13C-13F.

In some embodiments, boards 1002, 1004, 1006 and/or 1010 may be mountedto a frame (such as, e.g., frame 1102 of FIG. 11A) without using screwsor other types of fasteners. Instead of or in addition to fasteners,boards 1002, 1004, and/or 1006 can slide into slots created byprotrusions 1104 included in frame 1102. Protrusions 1104 may holdboards 1002, 1004, and/or 1006 in place (relative to frame 1102) asshown in FIG. 11B. In some embodiments, frame 1010 may be mounted toframe 1102 in a similar manner (despite slots and/or fasteners for board1010 not being shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B). The printer may realizeadditional strength and durability as a result of the boards beingmounted to frame 1102 using slots created by protrusions 1104 and/orother board receptacles that may be incorporated in frame 1102. In someembodiments, frame 1102 can be omitted and/or used in combination with ahousing that includes slots and/or other mechanisms for receiving one ormore circuit boards (such as those discussed in connection with FIGS.12A-12C).

FIG. 11A also shows media roll holder 1114, which may be configured tohold a media roll, and printhead assembly 1106 (which may include auniversal printhead, some examples of which are provided incommonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled “LABELPEELING, UNIVERSAL PRINTHEADS AND RELATED METHODS,” which has beenincorporated herein by reference in its entirety), locking strain reliefcomponent 1108, printer components 1110 (including the platen rollerwith paper sensor and cover latch, among other components), and motor1112 (which may be included in, e.g., drive motors 1028).

FIGS. 12A-12C provide three different examples of how circuitry (such ascircuitry 800) can be divided among boards 1002, 1004 and 1006. In someembodiments, board 1002 may include components generic to all printers,board 1004 may include components specific to a particular type ofprinter, and board 1006 can include components that allow the printer todock with and/or otherwise couple with one or more types of accessorydevices. In this regard, manufacturing costs may be reduced by mixingand matching and/or using the same or similar boards, having the same orsimilar components, for various printers and other devices.

For example, FIG. 12A shows circuitry arrangement 1202. In circuitryarrangement 1202, board 1002 can be configured to function as the maincircuit board. For example, board 1002 can be a printed circuit boardhaving a processor 1020 (which may include memory and/or a fieldprogrammable gate array). Communications interface circuitry, such asUSB circuitry 1204 and/or wireless interface 1206 (which may be, forexample, a dual radio interface configured to facilitate communicationswith the components on board 1010), may also be disposed on board 1002.Like any component discussed herein USB circuitry 1204 may be optionallydisposed on board 1002. For example, USB circuitry 1204 may enable theprinter to function as a USB host device (as opposed or in addition toas a USB slave device).

Printhead interface 1208 can also be included on board 1002 and beconfigured to send commands and/or otherwise cause indicia to be printedonto media. Board 1002 may also include bar/paper sensor 1210 which maybe configured to determine the position of a peel bar and/or print media(e.g., paper, labels, etc.). Keypad interface 1212 can be disposed onboard 1002 as a type of user interface 1026 (discussed above), which isconfigured to enable the use of one or more user input components (suchas those discussed in connection with FIGS. 1-3N). In some embodiments,a back-up battery, such as coin cell battery 1214, can be included inboard 1002. Coin cell battery 1214 may be used to, e.g., power the realtime clock, among other things. Additionally or alternatively, powersupplies and control circuitry 1216, which can be configured tofacilitate the supply of power to the circuitry. One or more batterycontacts 1218, which are configured to make electrical contact andfacilitate the flow of electricity with one or more batteries, can beincluded on board 1002. Charging circuitry 1220 can also be disposed onboard 1002 and be configured to facilitate the charging of a battery bycontrolling the flow of energy from a source of power (such as an AC/DCconverter that is not shown) to battery contacts 1218.

Board 1002 can be electrically coupled to board 1004 via bus 1222. Bus1222 may be, for example, a ribbon cable and/or any other connectorcomponent(s) that is configured to facilitate the transmission ofinstructions, commands and/or other types of electrical signals thatsupport, for example, color thin film transistor (“TFT”) liquid crystaldisplay (“LCD”), touch sensitive functionality and/or Inter-IntegratedCircuit (“I²C”) interface (e.g., board 1004's identifying data, etc.),among other things. Board 1004 may include one more components specificto a particular type, model, and/or other configuration. As such, board1004 may be considered a personality board that can be configured toinclude standard and/or customer-selected upgradeable features (e.g.,upgraded display screen, sensors, audio speakers, etc.), otheruser-customizable differences and/or any other type of difference. Forexample, user display circuitry, such as LCD interface 1224, can bedisposed on board 1004. LCD interface 1224 can be a type of userinterface 1026 that is specific to a particular display screen. Forexample, in embodiments that use a light emitting diode (“LED”) displaycomponent, LCD interface 1224 may be replaced with a LED interface.Additionally or alternatively, gap emitter 1226, peeler sensor circuitry1228, peeler engaged detection component 1230, printhead-open detectioncircuit 1232, media-width sensing component 1234, motor drive andbooster circuitry 1236, USB host circuitry 1238, RS232 serial interface1240 and/or audio component 1242, among other things, can be disposed onboard 1004 in some embodiments. Like any other component discussedherein, any of the components shown as being disposed on board 1004 maybe upgraded, downgraded, removed, combined or replaced with one or moreother components.

Board 1002 can be electrically coupled to board 1006 via connector 1012.Connector 1012 may be, for example, a ribbon cable and/or any otherconnector component(s) that is configured to facilitate the transmissionof instructions, commands and/or other types of electrical signals thatsupport, for example, charger input power, Ethernet data communications,and/or I²C dock/battery communications, among other things. Board 1006may include one more components specific to the networking and/oraccessory devices that the printer can be configured to utilize. Forexample, Ethernet interface 1246, I²C interface 1248, charger port 1250and dock interface 1252 can be disposed on board 1006. As such, board1006 can be configured to provide docking functionality. In someembodiments, different components can be included on board 1006 toenable a printer and/or other devices to be configured to couple withother types of docks.

FIG. 12B shows circuitry arrangement 1254 as a second example of howcircuitry (such as circuitry 800) can be divided among boards 1002, 1004and 1006. In circuitry arrangement 1254, board 1002 can be configured tofunction as the main circuit board similar to circuitry arrangement 1202of FIG. 12A. For example, board 1002 can be a printed circuit boardhaving a processor 1020 (which may include memory and/or a fieldprogrammable gate array). Communications interface circuitry, such aswireless interface 1206 (which may be configured to facilitatecommunications with the components on board 1010), may also be disposedon board 1002 in circuitry arrangement 1254. Printhead interface 1208can also be included on board 1002 in circuitry arrangement 1254 and beconfigured to facilitate the sending of commands and/or otherwise causeindicia to be printed onto media. In some embodiments, processor 1020may be configured to generate the commands which cause, for example,printhead interface 1208 and/or any other component discussed herein tosend its respective commands.

Board 1002 may also include bar/paper sensor 1210 which may beconfigured to determine the position of print media (e.g., paper,labels, etc.) based on, e.g., a black line or “bar” that is preprintedon one or more print media units of the media roll for identifying wherelabels, perforated tags and/or any other type of print media start andend. The same sensor is used to identify if print media of any type hasbeen installed in the printer. However, bar/paper sensor 1210 can bepositioned in a different place relative to the other components onboard 1002 in circuitry arrangement 1254 (as compared to, e.g., theposition of bar/paper sensor 1210 of circuitry arrangement 1202). Theplacement of bar/paper sensor 1210 on board 1002 in circuitryarrangement 1254 can provide one or more benefits, such as aid in noisereduction and/or allow circuit board 1002 to fit together with the otherboards of circuitry arrangement 1254, among other things.

Keypad interface 1212 can be disposed on board 1002 as a type of userinterface 1026 (discussed above), which is configured to enable the useof one or more user input components (such as those discussed inconnection with FIGS. 1-3N). In some embodiments, a back-up battery,such as coin cell battery 1214, can be included in board 1002.Additionally or alternatively, power supplies and control circuitry1216, which can be configured to facility the supply of power to thecircuitry. One or more battery contacts 1218, which are configured tomake electrical contact and facilitate the flow of electricity with oneor more batteries, can be included on board 1002. Charging circuitry1220 can also be disposed on board 1002 and be configured to facilitatethe charging of a battery from a power source to battery contacts 1218.

One or more components disposed on board 1002 in circuitry arrangement1202 may be omitted from board 1002 (and/or any other board) incircuitry arrangement 1254. For example, USB circuitry 1204 is omittedfrom board 1002 in circuitry arrangement 1254.

Board 1002 can be electrically coupled to board 1004 via bus 1222. Bus1222 may facilitate instructions, commands and/or other types ofelectrical signals that support, for example, color TFT LCDfunctionality, touch sensitive functionality and/or I²C I/Fcommunications (e.g., transmission of data signals that identify board1004 to board 1002, etc.), among other things. Board 1004 may includeone more components specific to a particular type, model, and/or otherconfiguration, which may be different than that shown in FIG. 12A. Assuch, a similar or same main printed circuit board, e.g., board 1002,may be included in printers that have different personality boards,e.g., board 1004, and/or docking boards, e.g., board 1008.

For example, rather than include LCD interface 1224, board 1004 incircuit arrangement 1254 may include monochrome/TFT LCD interface 1256.Monochrome/TFT LCD interface 1256 can be a type of user interface 1026that the processor can be configured to drive a mono./TFT LCD displayscreen, which may be an example upgrade from a traditional LCD screenthat the customer may choose to have.

Additionally or alternatively, GAP emitter 1226, peeler sensor circuitry1228, peeler engaged switch 1230, printhead-open detection circuit 1232,media-width sensing component 1234, motor drive and booster circuitry1236, USB host circuitry 1238, and/or serial input/output interface andtransceiver 1258, among other things, can be disposed on board 1004 insome embodiments. Serial input/output interface and transceiver 1258,for example, can include a circuit and connector that an externaldevice, like a computer, can use to communicate through the printer toanother device, such as another printer.

Board 1002 can be electrically coupled to board 1006 via connector 1012.Connector 1012 may facilitate instructions, commands and/or the transferof other types of electrical signals that support, for example, chargerinput power, Ethernet data communications, and/or I²C dock/batterycommunications, among other things. Board 1006 may include one morecomponents specific to the networking and/or accessory devices that theprinter can be configured to utilize. For example, while Ethernetinterface 1246 can be omitted from board 1012 of circuitry arrangement1254, I²C interface 1248, charger port 1250 and dock interface 1252 canbe disposed on board 1006 in both circuitry arrangement 1254 andcircuitry arrangement 1202. As such, board 1006 can be configured toprovide docking and charging functionality.

In some embodiments, different components can be additionally oralternatively included on board 1006 to enable a printer and/or otherdevices to be configured to facilitate various communication protocols.For example, Ethernet physical layer circuitry 1260 and Ethernet clock1262 can be separate components disposed on board 1006 (as opposed tothe combined component shown in FIG. 12A). As another example,electromagnetic interference/electrostatic discharge (“EMI/ESD”)suppression component 1264 may also be included on board 1006.

FIG. 12C shows circuitry arrangement 1266 as a third example of howcircuitry (such as circuitry 800) can be divided among boards 1002, 1004and 1006. In circuitry arrangement 1266, board 1002 can be configured tofunction as the main circuit board similar to circuitry arrangement 1202of FIG. 12A. For example, board 1002 of circuitry arrangement 1266 canbe a printed circuit board having a processor 1020 (which may includememory and/or a field programmable gate array). Communications interfacecircuitry, such as wireless interface 1206 (which may be configured tofacilitate communications with the components on board 1010), may alsobe disposed on board 1002 in circuitry arrangement 1266. Printheadinterface 1208 can also be included on board 1002 in circuitryarrangement 1266 and be configured to facilitate the sending of commandsand/or otherwise cause indicia to be printed onto media. In someembodiments, processor 1020 may be configured to generate the commandswhich cause, for example, printhead interface 1208 and/or any othercomponent discussed herein to send its respective commands.

In circuitry arrangement 1266, board 1002 may also include bar/papersensor 1210 which may be configured to determine the position of a peelbar and/or print media (e.g., paper, labels, etc.). However, bar/papersensor 1210 can be positioned in a different place relative to the othercomponents of circuitry arrangement 1266 (as compared to, e.g., theposition of bar/paper sensor 1210 in circuitry arrangement 1202 orcircuitry arrangement 1254). The placement of bar/paper sensor 1210 onboard 1002 can provide one or more benefits, some of which are discussedabove.

Keypad interface 1212 can be disposed on board 1002 as a type of userinterface 1026 (discussed above), which is configured to enable the useof one or more user input components (such as those discussed inconnection with FIGS. 1-3N). In some embodiments, a back-up battery,such as coin cell battery 1214, can be included in board 1002.Additionally or alternatively, power supplies and control circuitry1216, which can be configured to facility the supply of power to thecircuitry. One or more battery contacts 1218, which are configured tomake electrical contact and facilitate the flow of electricity with oneor more batteries, can be included on board 1002. Charging circuitry1220 can also be disposed on board 1002 and be configured to facilitatethe charging of a battery from a source of power to battery contacts1218.

One or more components disposed on board 1002 in circuitry arrangement1202 and/or circuitry arrangement 1254 may be omitted from board 1002(and/or any other board) of circuitry arrangement 1266. For example, USBcircuitry 1204 is omitted from board 1002 in circuitry arrangement 1266.

Board 1002 can be electrically coupled to board 1004 via bus 1222. Bus1222 may facilitate instructions, commands and/or other types ofelectrical signals that support, for example, color TFT displayfunctionality, touch sensitive functionality and/or I²C I/Fcommunications (e.g., transmission of data signals that identify board1004 and/or the components disposed thereon to board 1002 and/or thecomponents disposed thereon, etc.), among other things. Board 1004 mayinclude one more components specific to a particular type, model, and/orother configuration, which may be different than that shown in FIGS. 12Aand/or 12B. As such, a similar or same main printed circuit board, e.g.,board 1002, may be included in printers that have different personalityboards, e.g., board 1004, and/or docking boards, e.g., board 1008.

For example, rather than include LCD interface 1224, board 1004 incircuit arrangement 1254 may include monochrome display interface 1268.Mono./TFT LCD interface 1256 can be a type of user interface 1026 thatthe processor can be configured to drive a color TFT displaytouch-sensitive screen, which may be an example upgrade from atraditional LCD screen that the customer may choose to have.

Additionally or alternatively, GAP emitter 1226, peeler sensor circuitry1228, peeler engaged switch 1230, printhead-open detection circuit 1232,media-width sensing component 1234, motor drive and booster circuitry1236, USB host circuitry 1238, audio output 1244, and/or serialinput/output interface and transceiver 1258, among other things, can bedisposed on board 1004 in some embodiments.

Board 1002 can be electrically coupled to board 1006 via connector 1012.Connector 1012 may facilitate instructions, commands and/or the transferof other types of electrical signals that support, for example, chargerinput power from a docking station, Ethernet data communicationsfrom/for the docking station, and/or I²C I/F communications for thedocking station, peripherals and smart battery, among other things.Board 1006 may include one more components specific to the networkingand/or accessory devices that the printer can be configured to utilize.For example, Ethernet interface 1246 can be included on board 1012 ofcircuitry arrangement 1266 as well as I²C interface 1248, dockinginterface 1252, and EMI/ESD suppression component 1264.

Scalable Printer Housing

As noted above, the “whistle” shape of printer 400 and/or the overallsize of the printer can be scalable and/or change for differentprinters. For example, a printer that is configured to accommodate a 4inch medial roll may be larger than a printer that is configured toaccommodate a media roll up to (and including) 2 inches. As anotherexample, a larger display screen may be included as an upgrade to thestandard sized display screen, requiring more space on defining portion604 of the printer's housing.

While different printers may have different sized and shaped definingportions 604 shown in FIGS. 13A and 13C-13F, the different printers caneach include the same bottom housing portion, such as base portion 406shown in FIG. 13B-13F, that is at least substantially the same shape andsize. The common bottom or “base” housing portion can also include, forexample, a coupling area that includes a common communicationsinterface, such as electrical contacts 1104, detents 704 and 802,and/notches 1308, among other things, which can be spaced apart andshaped consistently across printers and/or other devices. In someembodiments, the coupling area can be defined by the size and shape ofat least the portion of base portion 606 that includes these features.For example, all base portions and/or coupling areas may be defined bythe same width, “w”, of the portion of base portion 606 that includesbattery receptacle 1310. Even embodiments that do not include a batteryreceptacle or a smaller battery receptacle than what is shown in FIG.13B, may include one or more pieces of housing that separates detent 802from detent 704 (not shown in FIG. 13B, but discussed above inconnection with FIG. 7) and/or separates notches 1308 at the width “w”.In other words, the coupling area can be defined by the relativepositioning of notches 1308, electrical contacts 1104 (e.g., flankingthe distal ends of electrical contacts 1104) and/or detents 704, 802 inthree dimensional space. An accessory device and/or any other type ofdevice may include a reciprocal coupling area that is configured toreceive, engage and/or otherwise couple with one or more of notches1308, electrical contacts 1104 and/or detents 704, 802. Some examples ofaccessory devices are discussed in connection with commonly assignedU.S. patent Ser. No. ______, titled “MOBILE PRINTER NETWORKING ANDINTERFACING,” which was incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety).

Incorporating such homogenous base portions and/or at least commoncoupling areas with different printer housing defining portions and/ortypes of devices (having, e.g., different sizes, features, materials andfunctionality, among other things) can enable a wide variety of printersand/or other devices to be configured to interface with commonaccessories and peripheral devices, among other things, that include areciprocal coupling area configured to mate with the features includedin the coupling area shown FIG. 13B. For example, wider mobile printers(such as that shown in FIGS. 13D and 13F) may be configured toaccommodate wider rolls of media by having a wider defining portion 404,but have the same or similar sized and shaped base portion 606 (or atleast same or similar sized and shaped coupling area) as a smallerprinter (such as that shown in FIGS. 13C and 13E) that is configured toaccommodate narrower rolls of media. As another example, longer mobileprinters may be configured to accommodate larger display screens and/ormore buttons by having a longer defining portion 604, but have the sameor similar sized and shaped base portion 606 (or at least same orsimilar sized and shaped coupling area) as a shorter printer that isconfigured to accommodate smaller display screens. Despite therelatively larger width and/or length, some embodiments of wider, longermobile printers may still conform to the whistle shape shown in FIGS. 1and 4-8B. Similarly, other printers (such as that shown in FIG. 3N) thatdo not conform to the whistle shape may still have the common couplingarea and/or base portion 606.

Further to the discussion above, the seam line between defining portion604 and base portion 606 does not run around the lateral sides ofprinter 400, but instead runs off center along the bottom edge of theprinter's housing. While some embodiments of mobile printers mayutilized a split “upper/lower” housing approach (such as that shown inFIG. 1), other embodiments may use more of an “defining/base” housingbody design (such as that shown in FIGS. 4-8B, for example). Thedefining/base split can create a more continuous uni-body structure thatmay fare much better in durability testing. The complexity of overmoldssometimes applied to printer housings can also been reduced with thedefining/base split discussed herein. For example, rather than apply anovermold to both the upper and lower housing portions, the overmold mayinstead be applied to only the defining portion of the housing and/orotherwise located in a location remote from the seam between the baseand defining portions of the housing.

For example, some embodiments may include a printer, comprisingcircuitry (such as that discussed above) and a housing, such as thatshown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, that at least substantially defines a shapeof the printer's six sides. In addition to defining portion 604 and baseportion 606, the housing can include an overmold (not shown). Definingportion 606 can at least substantially define five of the printer's sixsides (e.g., top, right, left, front and back sides) as shown in FIGS.4-8B. Base portion 606 can at least substantially define the printer'ssixth side (e.g., the bottom side) as shown in FIGS. 9 and 13B. Theovermold can then at least partially cover the defining portion 606 and,in some embodiments, fail to cover the base portion 604. In someembodiments, the printer can further comprise a second overmold (notshown) that at least partially covers the base portion 604.

Additionally, printer housings that utilize the defining/base bodydesign may realize improved durability as a result of eliminating theseam line on the portion of the external, defining plastic printerhousings that is most likely to contact the ground when dropped on theprinter's side wall 1302, front wall 1304, and curved back wall 1306,which are shown in FIG. 13A. Because base portion 606 is within and atleast largely surrounded by defining portion 604 on all four sides aswell as its top portion, base portion 606 is largely protected bydefining portion 604 and its protective features (such as an overmold).In this regard, the shape and the size of the printer can be definedalmost entirely by defining portion 604, while the networkinginterface(s), accessory interface(s), chassis, circuitry and/or othercommon printer components can be mounted or otherwise protected by baseportion 606 that can be substantially similar or the same for printersthat otherwise look completely different (e.g., have completelydifferent defining portions).

In other embodiments, the seam line between the base portion anddefining portion may run along a top edge of the bottom portion (asopposed to the bottom edge of an upper portion as shown in FIGS. 13A and13B), and the bottom portion may be considered the “defining” portion ofthe printer's housing (not shown) that is configured to at least largelysurround all four sides and the bottom of a top portion. Similarly, oneskilled in the art may realize from the discussion herein that the seamline may run along a back edge, front edge, right side edge, or anyother edge (none which are shown herein), such that the defining portionis neither the “top” nor the “bottom” of the printer's housing withoutdeparting from the spirit of the embodiments discussed herein. In thesealternative embodiments, like those shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, onepiece of the printer's housing, referred to herein as the definingportion, substantially surrounds most of the printer (e.g., at leastfive of the six sides) and largely defines the printer's shape andexternal features.

Base portion 606, as shown in FIG. 13B, can also be used as part of acommon accessories interface that can mechanically and/or electricallycouple with a variety of different printers, thereby reducing the numberof printer accessories needed to support one or more product lines. Forexample, the defining/base housing design and the features incorporatedin the base portion can allow for a single accessories interface acrossprinter family sizes. Printers having a whistle shape (such as thoseshown in FIGS. 4-8B), for example, can have a common base area, shapeand coupling components regardless of the printer's overall width (asdetermined by defining portion 604 of the printer's housing in theexample shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B). For example, in addition to thecoupling components discussed above (e.g., cavity 704 and cavity 802adapted to receive a spring loaded or other type of mechanical couplingdevice and electrical contacts 904), base portion 606 can also includenotches 1308 adapted to receive and lock onto male connecting componentsof a docking, peripheral, and/or other accessory device, among otherthings.

FIG. 13C and 13D show base portions 606 having a width “W1” beinginstalled into two different defining portions 604A and 604B. Definingportion 604A has width W2, which may be larger than W1, but smaller thanW3 of defining portion 604B. In this regard, base portions 606 dictatethe minimum size or footprint of a printer, while the defining portion604A,604B dictates the general shape, size (e.g., overall height, width,length), features, and aesthetics, among other things, of the printer.For example, because of its larger size, defining portion 604B may beconfigured to receive a larger media roll and/or display screen thandefining portion 604A, even though both defining portions 604A,604B mayutilize the same base portion 606 and the same or similar circuitry.

In some embodiments, base portions 606 can be installed into definingportions 604A,604B through an opening that will eventually be coveredby, e.g., a media cover, which may be coupled to base portion 606. Uponsliding in and/or otherwise being inserted into defining portions604A,604B, one or more flanges 1312 and/or other components of baseportions 606 can be aligned with one or more components of definingportions 604A,604B. For example, fastener holes included in each piecemay be aligned. As another example, mounting ridges 1314A of definingportion 604A and 1314B of defining portion 604B may be aligned withflanges 1312 of the respective base portion 606.

FIGS. 13E and 13F show a bottom view of defining portion 604A anddefining portion 604B mated with a respective base portion 606. Alsoshown is how flanges 1314B may be larger than flanges 1314A as a resultof defining portion 604B being wider than defining portion 604A. In someembodiments, defining portion 604B may instead or additionally be longerand/or higher than defining portion 604A.

Defining portion 604 and/or base portion 606 can also include and or beadapted to integrate with one or more strain relief components, such aslocking strain relief component 1108 discussed above. For example, thecustom designed overmold can enable USB and/or other type(s) of cablesto be mounted with a custom molded (e.g., plastic) strain reliefcomponent (which may be part of the cable assembly) that is configuredto lock the cable into place when engaged with the printer. The strainrelief component can be configured to transfer at least most (if notall) external stress applied to the cable(s) into the housing to relievestress from, e.g., the USB connector mounted on, e.g., the device'sprinted circuit board. Additional examples of the strain reliefcomponent are discussed above.

Belt Clip

Some embodiments discussed herein may also include a removable belt clipthat snaps or is otherwise secured by, e.g., battery cover 902 of aprinter and/or other device. For example, FIG. 13B shows battery cover902 removed from base portion 606 with battery receptacle 1308 exposed.A belt clip, such as belt clip 402 shown in FIG. 14A, may included clipcomponent 1402 that is configured to couple with a belt and/or otherapparatus and mounting component 1404 that is configured to mate withbelt clip receptacle 1310 as shown in FIG. 14B. Belt clip receptacle1310 can include a rounded cavity as shown in FIG. 13B and mountingcomponent 1404 can include a spherical shape that causes it to swiveland otherwise move within belt clip receptacle 1310. In someembodiments, the battery cover 902 can be mated with the batteryreceptacle (as shown in FIG. 9), and be configured to aid in preventingbatteries from falling out of the battery receptacle as well as aid inpreventing belt clip 402 from falling out of belt clip receptacle 1310.

In some embodiments, battery cover 902 (or a different battery coverthat is not shown) can be configured to substantially fill belt clipreceptacle 1310 when a belt clip is not filling belt clip receptacle1310. This may help prevent dirt and other material from getting intothe battery receptacle when a belt clip is not inserted into belt clipreceptacle 1310.

CONCLUSION

Various other features for, modifications to and other embodiments ofthe inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in theart to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of theteachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings. For example, while examples discussed herein are often relatedto mobile printers, one skilled in the art would appreciate that othertypes of printers, such as desktop or less mobile printers, as well asother types of devices may benefit from embodiments discussed herein.Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to belimited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included herein. Although specificterms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptivesense only and not for purposes of limitation.

1. A printer, comprising: circuitry; and a housing that at leastsubstantially defines a shape of the printer's six sides, the housingincluding a base portion and a defining portion, wherein: the definingportion envelopes the base portion; and the defining portion isconfigured to shield the circuitry on all but one of the printer'ssides.
 2. The printer of claim 1, wherein: the defining portion at leastsubstantially defines the printer's first side; the defining portion atleast substantially defines the printer's second side; the definingportion at least substantially defines the printer's third side; thedefining portion at least substantially defines the printer's fourthside; the defining portion at least substantially defines the printer'sfifth side; and the base portion at least substantially defines theprinter's sixth side.
 3. The printer of claim 1, wherein the baseportion forms at least a substantial part of a bottom side of theprinter, wherein the bottom side is configured to sit upon a surface andremain steady while the printer is printing.
 4. (canceled)
 5. Theprinter of claim 1, wherein the defining portion forms at least asubstantial part of a top side of the printer, wherein the top side isconfigured to receive print media and the top side includes a mediacover that is configured to open to allow the printer to receive theprint media.
 6. The printer of claim 1, wherein the shape and size ofthe defining portion is at least partially related to a size of mediaroll installable into the printer.
 7. The printer of claim 1 furthercomprising an overmold that at least partially covers the base portion.8. The printer of claim 1 further comprising an overmold, wherein: theovermold at least partially covers the defining portion; and theovermold fails to cover the base portion.
 9. The printer of claim 8,wherein the overmold covers a seamless portion of the housing. 10.(canceled)
 11. The printer of claim 8, wherein the overmold isconfigured to allow the use of a custom molded plastic strain reliefcomponent that removably locks a cable to the printer.
 12. The printerof claim 8, wherein the overmold is configured to allow the use of a USBconnector strain relief component.
 13. The printer of claim 1, whereinthe defining portion is comprised at least mostly of plastic.
 14. Amethod of manufacturing a printer, comprising: providing circuitry;coupling the circuitry to a base portion of the printer's housing;inserting the circuitry and the base portion through an opening in adefining portion of the housing; and coupling the base portion to thedefining portion, wherein the defining portion defines a majority of theprinter's shape, size and aesthetics and the base portion defines theprinter's minimum size.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein insertingthe circuitry and the base portion into the defining portion defines atleast a substantial part of a bottom side of the printer.
 16. The methodof claim 14, wherein inserting the circuitry and the base portionthrough the opening in a defining portion of the housing, comprisesinserting the circuitry and the base portion through a hole that isconfigured to also receive print media.
 17. The method of claim 14further comprising applying an overmold that at least partially coversthe base portion.
 18. The method of claim 14 further comprising applyingan overmold that at least partially covers the defining portion.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, wherein applying the overmold further comprisingapplying the overmold such that the overmold fails to cover the baseportion.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein applying the overmoldfurther comprising applying the overmold such that the overmold isseamless.
 21. The method of claim 18, wherein applying the overmoldfurther comprising applying the overmold such that the overmold covers aseamless portion of the housing.
 22. (canceled)
 23. The method of claim18, wherein applying the overmold further comprising applying theovermold such that the overmold is configured to allow the use of acustom molded plastic strain relief component that removably locks acable to the printer and transfers any external stress to the printer'sinternal components as opposed to the housing.
 24. The method of claim18, wherein applying the overmold further comprising applying theovermold such that the overmold is configured to allow the use of a USBconnector strain relief component. 25-45. (canceled)